It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

One of my favorites and very apropos. Having played football from ‘midgets’, through high school and college,there is no question that there will always be the ‘critics’, as there are in all other phases of our society. But the critics are also a necessary component of our society, even though they may, many times, be wrong in their assessment. They still cause us to rethink what we are doing. If without basis or support, you simply cast them off and march on. But, should something be shown to be worthy of reflection, then the ‘man in the arena’ should take heed and consider a change of tactics. Otherwise, he becomes a stubborn fool who just blindly wales away.

Very suitable. I posted the below on the AGS board and want to call it out here as well.

I think having used the word “quit” was too loose a word to put forth and I’m retracting it. The word quit goes to intent, attitude and effort and I don’t think that is what I or others really mean. The word that I think is more appropriate is “demoralized”, which goes to having lost confidence, being discouraged or dispirited. If the players are put into such positions (literally and figuratively), where they can not overcome, then I think we’re talking about being dispirited or demoralized, not lacking effort or having the wrong attitude. I think it’s important to re-frame this discussion and OO has given us and me a good reminder.

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